If that’s What a Christian Looks Like

Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” 1 Samuel 28:7

Years ago, while working the ER, I regularly encountered those who came to the ER seeking opioids to feed their opioid addiction. As the provider, I regularly had to say no, which was never comfortable, but it was a necessary part of the job. During this same time, I wasn’t terribly outspoken about my faith, but those who knew me well also knew that I considered myself to be a Christian. The problem with that is that I was living a lie, hiding my own opioid addiction. Now, years later, since my addiction was so public, whenever I see someone whom I chased out of the ER back then, I feel the shame of my hypocrisy. What that person knows of me is that I had one set of rules for them and a different set for me. Whatever I represented is now tainted in their mind.

As Christians, we believe that we’re Christ’s representatives on Earth. This has always struck me as a terrible plan because we’re all so flawed. We claim we know how we’re supposed to live, but at some point, we all behave in a manner completely contrary to our beliefs. Representing Christ, our behavior – good or bad – reflects on him. When we live inconsistently with our beliefs, the one who doesn’t believe looks at us and says, If that’s what a Christian looks like, then I want nothing to do with Christ.

Today’s passage provides a great example of terrible hypocrisy. In the story, as the Philistines gathered for war against Israel, Saul quaked in fear. The prophet Samuel was dead, and God had stopped listening to Saul. So, Saul turned to a fortune teller. Previously though, considering such practices to be pagan, Saul had banned all practice of witchcraft in Israel. No one else was allowed to engage in such behavior, but when Saul needed it, things were different. The rules didn’t apply to him.

It’s different when it’s me. We may not say this out loud, because we know how absurd it sounds, but we often act as though it’s true. We believe that we shouldn’t lie, but when we must protect ourselves, we lie. We believe gossip is bad, but when we have some really salacious information, we must share it. It’s different when it’s me. If we claim to be Christians though, we represent Christ. As his ambassadors, our hypocrisy is revolting to anyone who doesn’t believe. If that’s what a Christian looks like . . .